How Much Does An American Airlines Flight Attendant Make: Have you ever thought about the specific salary of an American Airlines Flight Attendant? American Airlines is renowned for offering their Flight Attendants some of the most generous compensation packages in the entire United States. However, the real question is, how much money do they take home?
Let us provide you with a detailed breakdown of the salary earned by American Airlines Flight Attendants.
How Much Does An American Airlines Flight Attendant Make
American Airlines offers a slightly higher salary for Flight Attendants compared to other major airlines in the United States.
American Airlines offers a wide range of annual salaries for Flight Attendants. For newly hired Flight Attendants, the starting salary is approximately $35,000, while the most seasoned and dedicated Flight Attendants can earn up to $100,000 per year. The salary scale within American Airlines reflects the varying levels of experience and tenure among its Flight Attendants.
There exists a significant variance in salary between new and experienced Flight Attendants at American Airlines, making it challenging to provide a precise average salary figure.
It is worth mentioning that the average salary for an American Airlines Flight Attendant surpasses the national average salary in the US.
Standard Flight Hour Pay (Hourly Rate)
It is crucial to bear in mind that, similar to many professions, the salaries of Flight Attendants progressively rise as they advance in their career and accumulate more experience.
The hourly rate of a Flight Attendant is determined by their level of seniority. As a Flight Attendant gains more seniority, their hourly rate increases.
The pay rate for American Airlines Flight Attendants is determined based on the number of years they have been employed as a Flight Attendant with the airline.
Upon successfully completing the initial 6-month probationary period, every newly hired Flight Attendant at American Airlines will receive a raise in their hourly rate of pay. Every year on their joining date anniversary, American Airlines employees will see a boost in their Standard Flight Hour Pay, usually by 2 or 3 dollars per hour, demonstrating a positive incentive structure.
Once you turn 13, the hourly rate will reach its maximum and remain unchanged for the rest of the year. Your seniority plays a significant role in determining your hourly rate. It is worth mentioning that the first year of a career as an American Airlines Flight Attendant is financially demanding due to the ‘reserve’ duty assigned during this period.
In the first year of employment, Flight Attendants at American Airlines earn a starting hourly salary of slightly above $30. On the other hand, Flight Attendants with 5 years of experience at American Airlines receive an average hourly wage of $40.
Additionally, Flight Attendants who have 8 years of experience under their belt are paid more than $50 per hour, and those with 13 years or more of experience in the aviation industry can anticipate making almost $70 per hour while working for American Airlines.
Flight Hours
The pay of a Flight Attendant is directly linked to the amount of time they dedicate to working on flights every month. Thus, flight hours serve as a vital determinant in establishing the salary of a Flight Attendant.
Working longer hours directly correlates with an increase in your salary. It is crucial to bear in mind that a Flight Attendant employed by American Airlines commences receiving payment only after the aircraft door is closed for departure.
None of the time invested in reaching the aircraft, participating in the briefing, carrying out safety checks, assisting with passenger boarding, or any delays prior to closing the aircraft door will be remunerated.
Upon landing and the opening of doors at the destination, American Airlines Flight Attendants cease to receive payment. This includes the time spent on passenger disembarkation and any delays in the process.
American Airlines offers Flight Attendants an hourly pay structure that encompasses the period from the closure of the aircraft door for take-off until its reopening at the destination. In essence, their compensation is solely tied to the actual flying hours they accumulate during a flight.
Despite its apparent unfairness, this is a standard procedure in the aviation realm. It is essential to understand that you are not completely unpaid during this time, as there are instances where you receive per diem if you are stationed outside your base (more information about Per Diem will be elaborated on later in the article).
Salary Breakdown Of American Airlines Flight Attendant
Flight Attendant salaries are calculated in a unique manner compared to typical occupations. The monthly income of a Flight Attendant employed by a commercial airline can fluctuate significantly.
Unlike traditional jobs with fixed monthly salaries, Flight Attendants’ pay is determined by factors like monthly flight hours, standard flight hour pay, destinations visited, type of flight (turnaround or layover), and on-call/reserve duties.
A Flight Attendant’s Salary comprises of:
- Payment for crew duty is calculated by multiplying the number of hours flown in a month by the hourly flight pay rate.
- Payment for being on reserve duty.
- Payment for layovers, including per diem expenses.
- Additional payment for special roles such as pursers or language speakers.
- Extra rewards or bonuses for meeting certain goals or targets.
The payments may differ significantly based on the Cabin Crew Roster for that particular month.
Moreover, in the case where a Flight Attendant takes annual leave or falls ill for a month, or if they do not receive any assignments during their reserve days, their salary will be decreased due to the higher number of days off from flying.
Crew Duty Payment
Hours Flown x Hourly Rate = Flight Attendant Salary
To calculate your monthly Crew Duty Payment, multiply your Standard Flight Hour Pay by the total number of duty hours flown in that month.
Payment of salaries occurs after the completion of the month worked, in line with standard practice in the airline industry. Due to the unpredictable nature of crew duty schedules and flight changes, it is not feasible to determine Crew Duty Payment in advance.
Assuming you are a newly hired Flight Attendant, working at American Airlines with a starting pay of $30.35 per hour, let’s calculate your earnings for 5 flight hours. By multiplying your hourly rate with the number of hours worked, your total earnings would amount to $151.75.
If you happen to be a Flight Attendant with 13 years of experience, you would be entitled to a salary of $68.25 per hour at American Airlines. In the scenario where you work a 5-hour flight, your earnings would amount to $341.25. It’s safe to say that this is a decent amount, wouldn’t you agree?
Therefore, it is no surprise that individuals who secure a position as an American Airlines Flight Attendant often choose to stay in the role for an extended period of time.
Reserve For The First Year
During your initial year as an American Airlines Flight Attendant, you will be assigned to straight reserve duty.
In their initial year of flying, junior Flight Attendants are placed on reserve status, meaning they are on standby (referred to as ‘reserve’) without any pre-scheduled flights on their monthly schedule. They must be ready to report to the airport within 2 or 3 hours upon receiving a call for flight assignments
While on reserve during their initial year, the Flight Attendant will still be given a roster or schedule that outlines their ‘off’ days and the days they are on reserve. It is important to clarify that they are not on reserve continuously for a whole year. They are still granted a considerable number of days off, which they are aware of in advance!
The monthly schedule typically consists of approximately 18 days on reserve and around 12 days off for Flight Attendants at American Airlines. They are contractually required to adhere to this system. During reserve days, Flight Attendants are on standby and may be called at short notice to operate a flight.
The reserve Flight Attendant may be assigned to various destinations, including layovers, turnaround flights, or they may not be scheduled for a flight at all. Their primary responsibility is to substitute for other flight attendants who are unable to work due to illness, rest regulations, or operational requirements like aircraft changes.
Reserve Payment Of First Year For Flight Attendants
When a Flight Attendant on reserve is not called for duty, it should not be considered as a day off, even if they did not go to work. In terms of payment, Flight Attendants receive a monthly paid guarantee for their reserve period. This means that they are assured of being paid a specific number of hours, regardless of whether they actually fly or not.
It is fair to acknowledge that Flight Attendants should be compensated for their time on reserve, as it is not their responsibility if they are not called in for a flight. Despite not actively working, they are required to be at home on standby, making it far from a day off. American Airlines Flight Attendants are guaranteed 75 hours of pay monthly, ensuring they receive compensation even if they fly fewer hours.
Even if the Flight Attendant is not assigned any flights for the entire month, they will still receive compensation for 75 hours. For a new Flight Attendant, this equates to 75 x $30.35 = $2,276. Not too shabby, huh? If they surpass the guaranteed 75 hours, they will be paid for the extra hours worked beyond the original 75 hours.
As stated previously, reserve Flight Attendants typically enjoy 12 days off in their monthly schedule. However, if they are provided with a schedule that includes more than 12 days off, approximately 4 hours will be deducted for each additional day off.
American Airlines Flight Attendants have the option to take on additional flights during their days off in order to increase their earnings. These extra hours worked do not contribute towards the 75-hour reserve guarantee. The 75 guaranteed flying hours are always included in any extra flights that are picked up. For example, if a Flight Attendant decides to work a 10-hour trip on a day off, they would be compensated for 85 hours that month, even if they did not work a full 75 hours on reserve days.
Compared to other airlines, American Airlines provides a more accessible opportunity to take on additional flights, which can be advantageous for individuals seeking supplementary income. Nevertheless, it is essential to be mindful of the toll excessive flying can have on one’s well-being. Thus, it is crucial to ensure adequate rest and leisure time to avoid burnout.
The pay during the first year of employment as a Flight Attendant for American Airlines may pose challenges due to the reserve schedules. Rest assured that all Flight Attendants have faced this hurdle before, and once you overcome it, your salary will see an increase.
Rotating Reserve For Flight Attendants
Once the American Airlines Flight Attendants have successfully completed their entire year of reserve duty, they will transition to a rotating reserve schedule. This entails a monthly rotation of their schedules, where they will spend one month on reserve duty followed by one month with a fixed flight schedule, commonly referred to as “holding a line.”
While Flight Attendants are on a line for a period of months, they will be able to bid for particular destinations and flights they wish to work, as well as request days off. They will also have the ability to trade in unwanted trips and pick up additional trips, allowing them to have more control over their schedule. This rotation of schedules will occur during years 2-4.
After completing four years, the American Airlines Flight Attendant will shift to a schedule rotation of one month on reserve and three months off reserve, operating scheduled flights like a typical Flight Attendant rather than being on standby.
The duration of a Flight Attendant’s tenure with a US airline directly impacts their chances of being assigned to reserve duty. As they climb the seniority ladder, they eventually reach a stage where they are permanently exempted from reserve duty and are consistently assigned scheduled flights. This grants them a higher level of autonomy over their schedule.
It is crucial to bear in mind that the allocated time for preparation and arrival at the airport for duty is limited to only 2 or 3 hours, depending on the airport where you are stationed. When on reserve, Flight Attendants should ensure that their base is not too far away from the airport to avoid the risk of being late for reporting. A recent incident at American Airlines resulted in the termination of 50 Flight Attendants who failed to report to the airport on time during their Reserve Availability Period.
Various Reserves Offered By American Airlines
Reserve are of three types:
- Sequences
- RAP
- Standby
Prior to being on reserve, Flight Attendants have the opportunity to submit their bids and set their preferences from the three options available.
Sequences: Sequences, on the other hand, are flights that have not yet been assigned to a specific Flight Attendant or have been dropped by another Flight Attendant. In comparison to RAPs, Flight Attendants usually receive more advance notice for these flights, allowing them to better prepare for their duties.
RAP: RAPs, or Reserve Availability Periods, refer to 12-hour shifts that Flight Attendants are required to be on standby and report to the airport within 2 hours (3 hours at certain base airports like LAX, MIA, SFO, LGA, DCA). During RAPs, Flight Attendants must be prepared to be called for duty at any time.
Standby: Standby shifts, lasting for 4-6 hours, require Flight Attendants to be physically present at the airport, dressed in their uniform, and ready to be immediately available for a flight. These shifts are typically assigned in cases where a Flight Attendant calls in sick at the last minute or is running late.
Difference Between On Reserve And A Regular Schedule
Upon receiving their monthly roster, Flight Attendants are able to estimate their monthly earnings based on their scheduled flights.
When a Flight Attendant is on reserve duty for the entire month, it can be quite challenging for them to estimate their earnings, given the uncertainty surrounding their flying schedule and the number of hours they will be flying.
Perfect Attendance And Holiday Bonuses
American Airlines provides holiday and perfect attendance bonuses to their flight attendants as a means of recognising outstanding performance and commitment to their roles. Those who work on holidays or maintain perfect attendance are eligible for extra financial rewards.
These bonuses not only enhance their total earnings but also serve as a gesture of gratitude for their dedication to their responsibilities.
It is crucial to understand that the specifics of pay raises and bonuses for flight attendants can vary depending on factors such as experience, seniority, and union negotiations. For additional information on American Airlines flight attendant salaries, please visit the official American Airlines website or consult the flight attendant union’s website.
Conclusion
American Airlines flight attendants receive a competitive salary along with the chance to increase their earnings through raises, bonuses, and attractive travel benefits. Despite the average base salary being around $45,000 annually, attendants have the potential to earn much more through various additional compensation methods.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the salary structure, perks, and factors influencing income can provide you with a holistic view of the potential earnings as a flight attendant at American Airlines.
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